Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta)

/Home/Garden Basics/Trees/Types of Trees/Evergreen Trees/Holly Trees/Chinese Holly Trees

Chinese Holly is an abundantly planted large shrub or small tree. It is a fairly common escape from cultivation in North Carolina. The glossy leaves are coriaceous, evergreen, and prickly like those of American Holly, but have a unique shape -- the central spine points down, while the next two point up like horns (hence the name cornuta, which means horned). Many of the planted Chinese Hollies lack these horns.

All photographs and text ©2011 by Will Cook unless otherwise indicated